Monday, January 23, 2012

devil inside

"the devil inside
the devil inside
every single one of us the devil inside" (INXS - Devil Inside, 1988)

today was that kind of day - i struggled to maintain peace, including my own. two steps back, one forward. preaching the Good News will be difficult at times, indeed, proclaiming the truth is hard for those who hear it and proclaim it. the daily Gospel:

"the scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, 'He is possessed by Beelzebul,' and 'By the prince of demons he drives out demons.' Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, 'How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a family is divided against itself, that family will not be able to stand.'" (Gospel of St. Mark 3:22-30)

Alexander Ovechkin was suspended for three days for his hit on another player, Tim Thomas has difficulty standing with his teammates, the Canadiens a few weeks ago got rid of one of their teammates, fighting among other teams is not my cup of tea, and how often do we see fighting within the same team - in Montreal, Toronto, etc.? we've seen it in hockey, football, bball, soccer, etc. what's worst is when we see it in the Church, in our diocese, in our own parish - as was the case for me today. i celebrated daily mass, a funeral mass, running around doing administrative tasks, and trying to get ready for another two funerals. and if a family is divided against itself, that family will not be able to stand.

all this is happening, of course, during the week of prayer for Christian Unity. how do we pray for unity when we are losing it within our own circles, within our own hearts? as Christians, we all bear the responsibility of praying for unity with our brothers and sisters. however, as our Holy Fathersaid this week, "unity requires the personal conversion of each Christian." therefore, unity starts with me. we must learn to walk with the two Sacraments - Confession + Eucharist. the first reminds me of Christ's mercy for me, the other, His love.